Compositions comprising c5 and c6 oligosaccharides

ABSTRACT

Compositions comprising C5 and C6 saccharides of varying degrees of polymerization and low levels of undesirable impurities, such as compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen, or metals, are disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of:

-   U.S. Application No. 61/581,890 filed Dec. 30, 2011;-   U.S. Application No. 61/581,878 filed Dec. 30, 2011;-   U.S. Application No. 61/581,907 filed Dec. 30, 2011; and-   U.S. Application No. 61/581,922 filed Dec. 30, 2011;    the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by    reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to compositions comprising C5and C6 saccharides of varying degrees of polymerization and/orcontaining maximum levels of undesirable impurities, such as compoundscontaining sulfur, nitrogen, or metals, especially those processed fromlignocellulosic biomass using supercritical, subcritical, and/or nearcritical fluid extraction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a number of processes for converting lignocellulosic biomassinto liquid streams of various fermentable sugars. Certain preferredprocesses are based on supercritical water (SCW) or hot compressed water(HCW) technology, which offer several advantages including highthroughputs, use of mixed feedstocks, separation of sugars, andavoidance of concentrated acids, microbial cultures, and enzymes.Processes using hot compressed water may have two distinct operations:pre-treatment and cellulose hydrolysis. The pre-treatment processhydrolyzes the hemicellulose component of the lignocellulosic biomassand cellulose hydrolysis (CH) process, as its name infers, hydrolyzesthe cellulose fibers. The resultant five carbon (C5) and six carbon (C6)sugar streams are recovered separately. The remaining solids, whichconsist mostly of lignin, are preferably recovered, such as throughfiltration, and may be used as a fuel to provide thermal energy to theprocess itself or for other processes.

Among their many uses, the sugar streams may be converted to ethanolthrough fermentation using yeast or bacteria that feed on the sugars. Asthe sugars are consumed, ethanol and carbon dioxide are produced.

The invention is directed to these compositions, as well as and otherimportant ends.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate, especiallythose hydrolysates processed from lignocellulosic biomass usingsupercritical or near critical fluid extraction;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 5250 ppm in total by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of elements;

wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K,Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate, especiallythose hydrolysates processed from lignocellulosic biomass usingsupercritical or near critical fluid extraction;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 10 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of aluminum;

less than about 3000 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of calcium;

less than about 350 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of iron; and

less than about 1000 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of sulfur.

In other embodiments, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate, especiallythose hydrolysates processed from lignocellulosic biomass usingsupercritical or near critical fluid extraction;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 10 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of aluminum.

In a further embodiment, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate, especiallythose hydrolysates processed from lignocellulosic biomass usingsupercritical or near critical fluid extraction;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 3000 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of calcium.

In yet other embodiments, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate, especiallythose hydrolysates processed from lignocellulosic biomass usingsupercritical or near critical fluid extraction;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 350 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of iron.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate, especiallythose hydrolysates processed from lignocellulosic biomass usingsupercritical or near critical fluid extraction;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 1000 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of sulfur.

In yet another embodiment, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight, based on total weight of C6saccharides present in said composition, of C6 disaccharides;

about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight, based on total weight of C6saccharides present in said composition, of C6 trisaccharides;

about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight, based on total weight of C6saccharides present in said composition, of C6 tetrasaccharides;

about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight, based on total weight of C6saccharides present in said composition, of C6 pentasaccharides; and

about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight, based on total weight of C6saccharides present in said composition, of C6 saccharides having at adegree of polymerization of at least about 6.

In further embodiments, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

about 80% by weight to about 95% by weight, based on total weight of C6saccharides present in said composition, of water-soluble C6oligosaccharides;

wherein said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharides have a degree ofpolymerization of about 2 to about 15.

In other embodiments, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate, especiallythose hydrolysates processed from lignocellulosic biomass usingsupercritical or near critical fluid extraction;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C5 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 3700 ppm in total by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC5 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of elements;

wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K,Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.

In one embodiment, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate, especiallythose hydrolysates processed from lignocellulosic biomass usingsupercritical or near critical fluid extraction;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C5 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 10 ppm by weight, based on the total weight of C5saccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of aluminum;

less than about 2300 ppm by weight, based on the total weight of C5saccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of calcium;

less than about 50 ppm by weight, based on the total weight of C5saccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of iron; and

less than about 150 ppm by weight, based on the total weight of C5saccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of sulfur.

In further embodiments, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate, especiallythose hydrolysates processed from lignocellulosic biomass usingsupercritical or near critical fluid extraction;

-   -   optionally, at least one water-soluble C5 monosaccharide        hydrolysate; and    -   less than about 10 ppm, based on total weight of said        water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said        water-soluble C5 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition,        of aluminum.

In yet further embodiments, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate, especiallythose hydrolysates processed from lignocellulosic biomass usingsupercritical or near critical fluid extraction;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C5 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 2300 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of calcium.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate, especiallythose hydrolysates processed from lignocellulosic biomass usingsupercritical or near critical fluid extraction;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C5 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 50 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of iron.

In yet another embodiment, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate, especiallythose hydrolysates processed from lignocellulosic biomass usingsupercritical or near critical fluid extraction;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C5 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 150 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of sulfur.

In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to methods of reducingthe level of enzyme required for enzymatically hydrolyzing firstwater-soluble C6 saccharides having an average degree of polymerizationto about 2 to about 15, preferably about 2 to about 10, and morepreferably about 2 to about 6, to second water-soluble C6 saccharideshaving a lower average degree of polymerization than said average degreeof polymerization of said first water-soluble C6 saccharides,comprising:

providing a hydrolysate comprising said first water-soluble C6saccharides and less than about 5250 ppm in total, based on total weightof water-soluble C6 saccharide hydrolysate in said composition, ofelements;

wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K,Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.

In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to methods of reducingthe level of enzyme required for enzymatically hydrolyzing firstwater-soluble C5 saccharides having an average degree of polymerizationto about 2 to about 28, preferably about 2 to about 15, more preferablyabout 2 to about 13, even more preferably about 2 to about 6, to secondwater-soluble C5 saccharides having a lower average degree ofpolymerization than said average degree of polymerization of said firstwater-soluble C5 saccharides, comprising:

providing a hydrolysate comprising said first water-soluble C5saccharides and less than about 3700 ppm in total, based on total weightof water-soluble C5 saccharide hydrolysate in said composition, ofelements;

wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K,Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a scan from a DIONEX high pressure liquid chromatographydevice with an electrochemical detector of a C6 oligosaccharidecomposition of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a scan from a DIONEX high pressure liquid chromatographydevice with an electrochemical detector of a C6 oligosaccharidecomposition of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a scan from a DIONEX high pressure liquid chromatographydevice with an electrochemical detector of a C5 oligosaccharidecomposition of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a scan from a DIONEX high pressure liquid chromatographydevice with an electrochemical detector of a C5 oligosaccharidecomposition of one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As employed above and throughout the disclosure, the following terms,unless otherwise indicated, shall be understood to have the followingmeanings.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include theplural reference unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

While the present invention is capable of being embodied in variousforms, the description below of several embodiments is made with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as anexemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit theinvention to the specific embodiments illustrated. Headings are providedfor convenience only and are not to be construed to limit the inventionin any manner. Embodiments illustrated under any heading may be combinedwith embodiments illustrated under any other heading.

The use of numerical values in the various quantitative values specifiedin this application, unless expressly indicated otherwise, are stated asapproximations as though the minimum and maximum values within thestated ranges were both preceded by the word “about.” In this manner,slight variations from a stated value can be used to achievesubstantially the same results as the stated value. Also, the disclosureof ranges is intended as a continuous range including every valuebetween the minimum and maximum values recited as well as any rangesthat can be formed by such values. Also disclosed herein are any and allratios (and ranges of any such ratios) that can be formed by dividing arecited numeric value into any other recited numeric value. Accordingly,the skilled person will appreciate that many such ratios, ranges, andranges of ratios can be unambiguously derived from the numerical valuespresented herein and in all instances such ratios, ranges, and ranges ofratios represent various embodiments of the present invention.

As used herein, the phrase “substantially free” means have no more thanabout 1%, preferably less than about 0.5%, more preferably, less thanabout 0.1%, by weight of a component, based on the total weight of anycomposition containing the component.

A supercritical fluid is a fluid at a temperature above its criticaltemperature and at a pressure above its critical pressure. Asupercritical fluid exists at or above its “critical point,” the pointof highest temperature and pressure at which the liquid and vapor (gas)phases can exist in equilibrium with one another. Above criticalpressure and critical temperature, the distinction between liquid andgas phases disappears. A supercritical fluid possesses approximately thepenetration properties of a gas simultaneously with the solventproperties of a liquid. Accordingly, supercritical fluid extraction hasthe benefit of high penetrability and good solvation.

Reported critical temperatures and pressures include: for pure water, acritical temperature of about 374.2° C., and a critical pressure ofabout 221 bar; for carbon dioxide, a critical temperature of about 31°C. and a critical pressure of about 72.9 atmospheres (about 1072 psig).Near critical water has a temperature at or above about 300° C. andbelow the critical temperature of water (374.2° C.), and a pressure highenough to ensure that all fluid is in the liquid phase. Sub-criticalwater has a temperature of less than about 300° C. and a pressure highenough to ensure that all fluid is in the liquid phase. Sub-criticalwater temperature may be greater than about 250° C. and less than about300° C., and in many instances sub-critical water has a temperaturebetween about 250° C. and about 280° C. The term “hot compressed water”is used interchangeably herein for water that is at or above itscritical state, or defined herein as near-critical or sub-critical, orany other temperature above about 50° C. (preferably, at least about100° C.) but less than subcritical and at pressures such that water isin a liquid state.

As used herein, a fluid which is “supercritical” (e.g. supercriticalwater, supercritical CO₂, etc.) indicates a fluid which would besupercritical if present in pure form under a given set of temperatureand pressure conditions. For example, “supercritical water” indicateswater present at a temperature of at least about 374.2° C. and apressure of at least about 221 bar, whether the water is pure water, orpresent as a mixture (e.g. water and ethanol, water and CO₂, etc). Thus,for example, “a mixture of sub-critical water and supercritical carbondioxide” indicates a mixture of water and carbon dioxide at atemperature and pressure above that of the critical point for carbondioxide but below the critical point for water, regardless of whetherthe supercritical phase contains water and regardless of whether thewater phase contains any carbon dioxide. For example, a mixture ofsub-critical water and supercritical CO₂ may have a temperature of about250° C. to about 280° C. and a pressure of at least about 225 bar.

As used herein, “lignocellulosic biomass or a component part thereof”refers to plant biomass containing cellulose, hemicellulose, and ligninfrom a variety of sources, including, without limitation (1)agricultural residues (including corn stover and sugarcane bagasse), (2)dedicated energy crops, (3) wood residues (including hardwoods,softwoods, sawmill and paper mill discards), and (4) municipal waste,and their constituent parts including without limitation, lignocellulosebiomass itself, lignin, saccharides (including cellulose, cellobiose, C₆oligosaccharides, C₆ monosaccharides, C₆ saccharides (includinghemicellulose, C₆ oligosaccharides, and C₆ monosaccharides), andmixtures thereof.

As used herein, “ash” refers to the non-aqueous residue that remainsafter a sample is burned, and consists mostly of metal oxides. Ashcontent may be measured in accordance with ASTM Standard Method No.E1755-01 “Standard Method for the Determination of Ash in Biomass.” Thistest method covers the determination of ash, expressed as the percentageof residue remaining after dry oxidation at 550 to 600° C. All resultsare reported relative to the 105° C. oven dry weight of the sample.” Seealso: http://www.nrel.gov/biomass/pdfs/42622.pdf andhttp://www.astm.org/Standards/E1755.htm, which are both incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

As used herein, “degree of polymerization” refers to the number ofmonomeric units in a macromolecule or polymer or oligomer molecule,including those monomeric units that are not identical (such as in aoligomer with different monomeric residues). The degree ofpolymerization (DP) of the various saccharides in the compositions ofthe invention may be measured using gel permeation chromatography (GPC),high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), such as DIONEX with anelectrochemical detector, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionizationtime-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, or other conventionalmolecular weight determination methods.

C6 Saccharides

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the invention is directed tocompositions, comprising C6 saccharides. In particular embodiments, thecompositions comprise:

at least one water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 5250 ppm in total by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of elements;

wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K,Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.

In certain embodiments, the elements are present at a level of less thanabout 5100 ppm in total by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 10 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of aluminum;

less than about 3000 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of calcium;

less than about 350 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of iron; and

less than about 1000 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of sulfur.

In certain preferred embodiments, such compositions further comprise:

less than about 5250 ppm in total by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of elements;

wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K,Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.

In other embodiments, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 10 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of aluminum.

In certain preferred embodiments, such compositions further comprise:

less than about 5250 ppm in total by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of elements;

wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K,Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.

In a further embodiment, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 3000 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of calcium.

In certain preferred embodiments, such compositions further comprise:

less than about 5250 ppm in total by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of elements;

wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K,Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.

In yet other embodiments, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 350 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of iron.

In certain preferred embodiments, such compositions further comprise:

less than about 5250 ppm in total by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of elements;

wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K,Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 1000 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of sulfur.

In certain preferred embodiments, such compositions further comprise:

less than about 5250 ppm in total by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of elements;

wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K,Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.

In certain embodiments, the water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysatehas a degree of polymerization of about 2 to about 15. In otherembodiments, water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate has a degreeof polymerization of about 2 to about 13. In other embodiments,water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate has a degree ofpolymerization of about 2 to about 10. In other embodiments,water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate has a degree ofpolymerization of about 2 to about 6.

In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise at least onewater-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate.

In certain embodiments, the water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysateis glucose, galactose, mannose, fructose, or a mixture thereof.

In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise less thanabout 10 ppm, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of aluminum, preferably less than about5 ppm by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of aluminum.

In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise less thanabout 3000 ppm by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of calcium, preferably less than about2950 ppm by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of calcium.

In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise less thanabout 350 ppm by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of iron, preferably less than about 325ppm by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of iron.

In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise less thanabout 1000 ppm by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of sulfur, preferably less than about975 ppm by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of sulfur.

In certain embodiments, wherein the ratio of the total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate to said elements is greater than about 45:1,preferably greater than about 47:1.

In certain embodiments, the level of said elements are measured byinductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy.

In other embodiments, the compositions less than about 1500 mg ofnitrogen per kg of total weight of water-soluble C6 saccharides,preferably less than about 1450 mg of nitrogen per kg of total weight ofwater-soluble C6 saccharides. Nitrogen may be measured by thermalconductivity detection after combustion and reduction.

In yet other embodiments of the compositions, the weight ratio of thecollective mass of hydrogen and nitrogen to mass of carbon present insaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate is less than about 0.14. Carbon, hydrogen,and nitrogen levels may be measured by thermal conductivity detectionafter combustion and reduction.

In certain other embodiments, the compositions comprising the C6saccharides further comprise less than a maximum of any of the elements,individually or in combination, in the table listed below:

Level less than about (ppm or mg of element/kg Element of C6saccharides) As 0.5 B 0.7 Ba 2.6 Be 0.05 Cd 0.10 Co 0.05 Cr 0.17 Cu 1.2K 130 Li 0.05 Mg 180 Mn 15.0 Mo 0.7 Na 375 Ni 0.9 P 12.0 Pb 0.3 Sb 0.3Se 0.6 Si 85.0 Sn 0.25 Sr 5.0 Ti 0.05 Tl 0.7 V 0.05 Zn 65

In another embodiment, the compositions comprise:

about 80% by weight to about 95% by weight, based on total weight of C6saccharides present in said composition, of water-soluble C6oligosaccharides;

wherein said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharides have a degree ofpolymerization of about 2 to about 15.

In certain embodiments, said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharides arepresent at a level of about 80% by weight to about 92.5% by weight,based on total weight of C6 saccharides present in said composition. Incertain embodiments of the composition, said water-soluble C6oligosaccharides have a degree of polymerization of about 2 to about 13,preferably, about 2 to about 10, and more preferably about 2 to about 6.In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise about 5% byweight to about 20% by weight, based on total weight of C6 saccharidespresent in said composition, of C6 monosaccharides.

In certain embodiments of the compositions described herein, saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate comprises:

about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C6 disaccharides;

about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C6 trisaccharides;

about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C6tetrasaccharides;

about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C6pentasaccharides; and

about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C6 saccharideshaving at a degree of polymerization of at least about 6.

In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise:

about 5% by weight to about 20% by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C6 monosaccharides.

In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise:

about 7.5% by weight to about 20% by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C6monosaccharides.

In other embodiments, the compositions comprise:

about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight, based on total weight of C6saccharides present in said composition, of C6 disaccharides;

about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight, based on total weight of C6saccharides present in said composition, of C6 trisaccharides;

about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight, based on total weight of C6saccharides present in said composition, of C6 tetrasaccharides;

about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight, based on total weight of C6saccharides present in said composition, of C6 pentasaccharides; and

about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight, based on total weight of C6saccharides present in said composition, of C6 saccharides having at adegree of polymerization of at least about 6.

In other embodiments of the compositions, said C6 disaccharides arepresent at a level of about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight, basedon total weight of C6 saccharides present in said composition.

In other embodiments of the compositions, said C6 trisaccharides arepresent at a level of about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight, basedon total weight of C6 saccharides present in said composition.

In other embodiments of the compositions, said C6 tetrasaccharides arepresent at a level of about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight, basedon total weight of C6 saccharides present in said composition.

In other embodiments of the compositions, said C6 pentasaccharides arepresent at a level of about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight, basedon total weight of C6 saccharides present in said composition.

In other embodiments of the compositions, said C6 saccharides having ata degree of polymerization of at least about 6 are present at a level ofabout 10% by weight to about 20% by weight, based on total weight of C6saccharides present in said composition.

In other embodiments, the compositions further comprise:

about 5% by weight to about 20% by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C6 monosaccharides.

In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise about 7.5% byweight to about 20% by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C6 monosaccharides.

In other embodiments, the compositions further comprise water.

In certain embodiments, the water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysateand the water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate are processed fromlignocellulosic biomass using supercritical, subcritical, or nearcritical fluid extraction, or a combination thereof.

C5 Saccharides

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the invention is directed tocompositions, comprising C5 oligosaccharides. In particular, thecompositions comprise:

at least one water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C5 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 3700 ppm in total by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC5 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of elements;

wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K,Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.

In one embodiment, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C5 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 10 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of aluminum;

less than about 2300 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of calcium;

less than about 50 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of iron; and

less than about 150 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of sulfur.

In certain embodiments, the elements are present at a level of less thanabout 3610 ppm in total by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition.

In further embodiments, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C5 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 10 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of aluminum.

In yet further embodiments, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C5 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 2300 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of calcium.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C5 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 50 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of iron.

In yet another embodiment, the invention is directed to compositions,comprising:

at least one water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate;

optionally, at least one water-soluble C5 monosaccharide hydrolysate;and

less than about 150 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of sulfur.

In certain embodiments, the compositions described herein furthercomprise:

less than about 3700 ppm by weight in total, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC5 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of elements;

wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K,Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.

In certain embodiments, the water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysatehas a degree of polymerization of at least about 2 to about 28. In otherembodiments, water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate has a degreeof polymerization of at least about 2 to about 15. In other embodiments,water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate has a degree ofpolymerization of at least about 2 to about 10. In other embodiments,water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate has a degree ofpolymerization of at least about 2 to about 6.

In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise:

at least one water-soluble C5 monosaccharide hydrolysate.

In certain embodiments, the water-soluble C5 monosaccharide hydrolysateis xylose, arabinose, lyxose, ribose, or a mixture thereof.

In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise less thanabout 10 ppm by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C5oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of aluminum, preferably less than about5 ppm by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C5oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of aluminum.

In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise less thanabout 2300 ppm by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C5oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of calcium, preferably less than about2250 ppm by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C5oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of calcium.

In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise less thanabout 50 ppm by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C5oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of iron, preferably less than about 30ppm by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C5oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of iron.

In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise less thanabout 150 ppm by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C5oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of sulfur, preferably less than about140 ppm by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C5oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of sulfur.

In certain embodiments, the ratio of total weight of said water-solubleC5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition to said elements is greater than about75:1, preferably greater than about 80:1.

In certain embodiments, the water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysateis processed from lignocellulosic biomass using supercritical,subcritical, or near critical fluid extraction, or a combinationthereof.

In certain embodiments, the level of said elements are measured byinductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy.

In other embodiments, the compositions comprise less than about 350 ppmof nitrogen per kg of total weight of water-soluble C5 saccharides,preferably less than about 325 ppm of nitrogen per kg of total weight ofwater-soluble C6 saccharides. Nitrogen may be measured by thermalconductivity detection after combustion and reduction.

In yet other embodiments of the compositions, the weight ratio of thecollective mass of hydrogen and nitrogen to mass of carbon present insaid water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC5 monosaccharide hydrolysate is less than about 0.14. Carbon, hydrogen,and nitrogen levels may be measured by thermal conductivity detectionafter combustion and reduction.

In certain other embodiments, the compositions comprising the C5saccharides further comprise less than a maximum of any of the elements,individually or in combination, in the table listed below:

Level less than about (ppm or mg of element/kg Element of C5saccharides) As 0.7 B 2.5 Ba 4.2 Be 0.02 Cd 0.2 Co 0.1 Cr 0.2 Cu 0.70 K350 Li 0.05 Mg 550 Mn 130 Mo 0.5 Na 50 Ni 0.75 P 95 Pb 0.5 Sb 0.5 Se0.75 Si 25 Sn 0.5 Sr 15 Ti 0.02 Tl 0.75 V 0.02 Zn 20

In another embodiment, the compositions comprise:

about 75% by weight to about 90% by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC5 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of water-soluble C5oligosaccharides;

wherein said water-soluble C5 oligosaccharides have a degree ofpolymerization of about 2 to about 28.

In certain embodiments, said water-soluble C5 oligosaccharides arepresent at a level of about 80% by weight to about 90% by weight, basedon total weight of said water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate andsaid water-soluble C5 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition. Incertain embodiments of the composition, said water-soluble C5oligosaccharides have a degree of polymerization of about 2 to about 16,preferably, about 2 to about 10, and more preferably, about 2 to about5. In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise about 10%by weight, to about 25% by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C5 monosaccharides.

In certain embodiments of the compositions described herein, saidwater-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate comprises:

about 15% by weight, to about 30% by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC5 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C5 disaccharides;

about 10% by weight, to about 20% by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC5 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C5 trisaccharides;

about 5% by weight, to about 20% by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC5 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C5tetrasaccharides;

about 2% by weight, to about 20% by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC5 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C5pentasaccharides; and

about 10% by weight, to about 35% by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC5 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C5 saccharideshaving at a degree of polymerization of at least about 6.

In certain embodiments of the composition, said water-soluble C5oligosaccharides have a degree of polymerization of about 2 to about 16,preferably, about 2 to about 10, and more preferably, about 2 to about5. In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise about 10%by weight, to about 25% by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C5 monosaccharides.In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise about 12.5% byweight, to about 20% by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C5 monosaccharides.

In certain embodiments of the compositions described herein, said C5disaccharides are present at a level of about 17.5% by weight to about25% by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C5oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition.

In certain embodiments of the compositions described herein, said C5trisaccharides are present at a level of about 12.5% by weight to about17.5% by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C5oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition.

In certain embodiments of the compositions described herein, said C5tetrasaccharides are present at a level of about 10% by weight to about20% by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C5oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition.

In certain embodiments of the compositions described herein, said C5pentasaccharides are present at a level of about 2.5% by weight to about15% by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C5oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C5 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition.

In certain embodiments of the compositions described herein, said C5saccharides having at a degree of polymerization of at least about 6 arepresent at a level of about 12.5% by weight to about 30% by weight,based on total weight of said water-soluble C5 oligosaccharidehydrolysate and said water-soluble C5 monosaccharide hydrolysate in saidcomposition.

In certain embodiments, the compositions described herein furthercomprise about 10% by weight, to about 25% by weight, based on totalweight of said water-soluble C5 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and saidwater-soluble C5 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C5monosaccharides.

In certain embodiments, the compositions described herein furthercomprise water.

In certain embodiments, the water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysateand the water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate are processed fromlignocellulosic biomass using supercritical, subcritical, or nearcritical fluid extraction, or a combination thereof.

FURTHER EMBODIMENTS

In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to methods of reducingthe level of enzyme required for enzymatically hydrolyzing firstwater-soluble C6 saccharides having an average degree of polymerizationto about 2 to about 15, preferably about 2 to about 10, and morepreferably about 2 to about 6, to second water-soluble C6 saccharideshaving a lower average degree of polymerization than said average degreeof polymerization of said first water-soluble C6 saccharides,comprising:

providing a hydrolysate comprising said first water-soluble C6saccharides and less than about 5250 ppm in total, based on total weightof water-soluble C6 saccharide hydrolysate in said composition, ofelements;

wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K,Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.

In certain embodiments, the C6 saccharides are extracted fromlignocellulosic biomass. In other embodiments, the C6 saccharides areprocessed from lignocellulosic biomass using supercritical, subcritical,or near critical fluid extraction, or a combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to methods of reducingthe level of enzyme required for enzymatically hydrolyzing firstwater-soluble C5 saccharides having an average degree of polymerizationto about 2 to about 28, preferably about 2 to about 15, more preferablyabout 2 to about 13, even more preferably about 2 to about 6, to secondwater-soluble C5 saccharides having a lower average degree ofpolymerization than said average degree of polymerization of said firstwater-soluble C5 saccharides, comprising:

providing a hydrolysate comprising said first water-soluble C5saccharides and less than about 3700 ppm in total, based on total weightof water-soluble C5 saccharide hydrolysate in said composition, ofelements;

wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K,Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.

In further embodiments, the compositions further comprise less thanabout 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of said C5 saccharidesor C6 saccharides, of organic solvent, such as alcohols, including watermiscible lower aliphatic C₁-C₄ alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol,isopropanol, t-butanol). In preferred embodiments, the compositionscontain less than about 0.1% by weight, based on the total weight ofsaid of said C5 saccharides or C6 saccharides of organic solvent. Inmore preferred embodiments, the compositions contain substantially noorganic solvent.

The compositions of the invention are preferably prepared from biomassby processes employing supercritical, subcritical, and/or near criticalwater, preferably without the addition of acid. The processes mayinclude pretreatment step or steps using supercritical or near criticalwater to separate the C5 sugars (monomers and/or oligomers) fromcellulose and lignin. In the pretreatment step, suitable temperaturesare about 130° C. to about 250° C., suitable pressures are about 4 barsto about 100 bars, and suitable residence times are about 0.5 minutes toabout 5 hours. The processes may also include a cellulose hydrolysisstep or steps using supercritical or near critical water to separate thecellulose (which may processed to form C6 monomeric and/or oligomericsugars) from the lignin. In the hydrolysis step(s), suitabletemperatures are about 250° C. to about 450° C., suitable pressures areabout 40 bars to about 260 bars, and suitable residence times are about0.1 seconds to about 3 minutes. The compositions may be prepared in anysuitable reactor, including, but not limited to, a tubular reactor, adigester (vertical, horizontal, or inclined), or the like. Suitabledigesters include the digester system described in U.S. Pat. No.8,057,639, which include a digester and a steam explosion unit, theentire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

The compositions of the invention comprising C5 saccharides or C6saccharides may be utilized in a wide variety of applications, where C5and C6 sugars are conventionally utilized, including, but not limitedto, the production of various chemicals and fuels using fermentative,enzymatic, catalytic, and non-catalytic (e.g., thermal decomposition)processes. Such processes are useful for preparing feedstocks for thepreparation of the following non-exhaustive list:

fuels (such as gasoline, jet fuel, butanol, and the like);

chemicals (such as acetic acid, acetic anhydride, acetone, acrylic acid,adipic acid, benzene, ethanol, ethylene, ethylene glycol, ethyleneoxide, methanol, polypropylene, terephthalic acid, toluene, xylene,1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, and the like);

pharmaceuticals and foods (such as acetoin, alanine, arabitol, ascorbicacid, aspartic acid, citric acid, coumaric acid, fumaric acid, glycerol,glycine, kojic acid, lactic acid, lysine, malonic acid, proline,propionic acid, serine, sorbitol, succinic acid, threonine, xylitol,sugar acids (glucaric acid, gluconic acid, xylonic acids), and thelike);

specialty chemicals (such as acontic acid, glutamic acid, malic acid,oxalic acid, and the like);

textile applications (such as formic acid and the like); and

industrial intermediates (acetaldehyde, 3-hydroxypropionic acid,2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid, furfural, glutaric acid, itaconic acid,levulinic acid, and the like).

The present invention is further defined in the following Examples, inwhich all parts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise stated.It should be understood that these examples, while indicating preferredembodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only andare not to be construed as limiting in any manner. From the abovediscussion and these examples, one skilled in the art can ascertain theessential characteristics of this invention, and without departing fromthe spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modificationsof the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation of Oligosaccharide Compositions

The C5 oligosaccharide and C6 oligosaccharide compositions of theinvention were prepared using supercritical, subcritical, and nearcritical water extraction in a two stage process. Particulatelignocellulosic biomass consisting of mixed hardwood chips of 140 meshor less was mixed with water to form a slurry (about 20% by weightsolids). The slurry was heated to a temperature of about 170-245° C. andthen feed into a pretreatment reactor for about 1-120 minutes undersufficient pressure to keep the water in the liquid phase. Thepretreated slurry was then cooled to a temperature less than about 100°C. under little (less than about 10 bar) or no pressure. The pretreatedsolids were then separated from the liquid stream using a filter press.Alternatively, the solids may be separated using a centrifugal filterpressor. The pretreated solids were then mixed with water to form aslurry and the slurry was heated to a temperature of about 150-250° C.The slurry was then subjected to supercritical water at about 374-600°C. in a hydrolysis reactor for about 0.05-10 seconds under a pressure ofabout 230-300 bar. After exiting the hydrolysis reactor, the hydrolyzedslurry was quenched with water and then flashed to about ambienttemperature and pressure to remove water. The lignin solids were thenseparated from the liquid stream using a centrifugal decanter and airdried. The C5 oligosaccharides and the C6 oligosaccharides streams werefirst concentrated to about 200 g/L, adjusted to about pH 3-4 andfiltered using 0.45 micron filter.

Example 2 Analysis of oligosaccharide compositions using inductivelycoupled plasma

The dried compositions containing the C5 and C6 oligosaccharides ofExample 1 were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma emissionspectroscopy. The results are shown in the table below:

Oligomer Oligomer (C6) (C5) Species g/liter or ppm g/liter or ppm Al4.63 4.05 As 0.39 0.54 B 0.61 2.31 Ba 2.49 3.94 Be 0.00 0.01 Ca 2945.002245.00 Cd 0.05 0.11 Co 0.04 0.08 Cr 0.14 0.12 Cu 0.97 0.70 Fe 309.0022.94 K 127.35 329.00 Li 0.03 0.02 Mg 178.00 545.50 Mn 14.40 126.40 Mo0.58 0.32 Na 368.50 44.80 Ni 0.78 0.69 P 10.99 90.20 Pb 0.21 0.32 S946.00 132.45 Sb 0.21 0.30 Se 0.45 0.66 Si 80.65 22.10 Sn 0.18 0.39 Sr3.51 13.66 Ti 0.00 0.00 Tl 0.45 0.67 V 0.02 0.01 Zn 61.35 17.48

Example 3 Analysis of Oligosaccharide Compositions Using Gel PermeationChromatography

The C5 oligosaccharide and C6 oligosaccharide compositions of theinvention were prepared using supercritical, subcritical, and nearcritical water extraction in a two stage process as described inExample 1. The samples were then diluted ten times. The degree ofpolymerization was qualitatively determined, i.e., not quantifying theamount of each oligomer, using gel permeation chromatography.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a degree of polymerization (DP) weredetected up to at least a DP of 13, with small peaks visible above DP of13 for the C6 oligosaccharide compositions. As can be seen in FIGS. 2Aand 2B, a degree of polymerization (DP) were detected up to at least aDP of 28, with small peaks visible above DP of 28 for the C5oligosaccharide compositions.

Example 4 Analysis of C6 Saccharide Compositions Using Gel PermeationChromatography

The C6 saccharide compositions of the invention were prepared usingsupercritical, subcritical, and near critical water extraction in a twostage process as described in Example 1. Representative samplesbracketing the extremes/possibilities of feed material source (tubularreactor), reactor temperature (348.2-383.4° C.), reactor residence time(0.19-1.48 seconds), and feed aqueous slurry concentration (6.4-14.77%)were selected.

The representative samples were analyzed using gel permeationchromatography. The area under each peak (indicating an individual merunit in the saccharide) was measured to calculate weight % of each merunit, based on the total weight of C6 saccharides present in the sample.The results are shown in the following table:

C6 C6 C6 C6 C6 C6 monosaccharides disaccharides trisaccharidestetrsaccharides pentasaccharides hexasaccharides+ Sample (weight %)(weight %) (weight %) (weight %) (weight %) (weight %) 1-1033 15.3 19.815.4 15.2 12.1 22.2 2-1448 19.3 19.1 18.9 15.6 14.7 12.4 3-1252 8.9 11.313.3 12.4 16.6 37.5 4-2125 16.8 17.1 17.1 15.4 15.9 17.8 5-2344 13.68916.444 15.454 14.945 12.652 26.816 6-1600 7.914 10.087 11.397 13.02412.71 44.867

Example 5 Analysis of C5 Saccharide Compositions Using Gel PermeationChromatography

The C5 saccharide compositions of the invention were prepared usingsupercritical, subcritical, and near critical water extraction in thefirst stage of the two stage process as described in Example 1.Representative samples bracketing the extremes/possibilities of reactorfeed concentration (10.66-13.78 weight %, reactor temperature (249-261°C.), and reactor residence time (2-3 minutes) were selected.

The representative samples were analyzed using gel permeationchromatography (details below).

GPC Agilent HPLC System Configuration Auto Sampler 1260 ASL Pump 1260isocratic pump Agilent Heater 1260 TCC Degasser 1260 degasser MobilePhase DI water Column Ultrahydrogel-120, 250, 500 from Waters (injectionvol 25 μl, Size 7.8 × 300 mm) temp 30° C. Flow Rate 0.5 ml/min; run timeof 80 minutes Detector 1260-RID set at 50° C. Agilent and DAD (signal214 and 270 nm)

The area under each peak (indicating an individual mer unit in thesaccharide) was measured to calculate weight % of each mer unit, basedon the total weight of C5 saccharides present in the sample. The resultsare shown in the following table:

C5 C5 C5 C5 C5 C5 monosaccharides disaccharides trisaccharidestetrsaccharides pentasaccharides ≧hexasaccharides Sample (weight %)(weight %) (weight %) (weight %) (weight %) (weight %) 7-0458 18.2 24.416.3 14.1 11.8 15.3 8-0550 17.0 21.8 16.2 11.6 13.0 20.3 9-0647 16.123.5 18.1 10.7 4.5 27.1 10-2144  17.2 23.6 17.6 10.4 9.4 21.9 11-2242 13.3 20.4 13.9 17.4 9.3 25.4 12-2348  13.4 19.3 14.7 13.0 9.5 30.1

Example 6 Analysis of C5 and C6 Saccharide Compositions Using HPLC withan Electrochemical Detector

The C5 and C6 saccharide compositions of the invention were preparedusing supercritical, subcritical, and near critical water extraction inthe two stage process as described in Example 1. Representative sampleswere selected.

The representative samples were analyzed using DIONEX HPLC (detailsbelow).

Dionex System Thermo Scientific Configuration Auto Sampler AS-AP PumpICS-5000 DP (dual pulse) Mobile Phase 100 mM NaOH (sodium hydrohyde) +deionized water 100 mM NaOH (sodium hydrohyde) + 1M NaOAc (sodiumacetate) Column/Heater CarboPac PA 200 3 × 250 mm temp 30° C. with guardcolumn CarboPac PA 200 3 × 250 mm (injection vol 10 μl) and compartmenttemperature 30° C. Flow Rate 0.5 ml/min; run time of 70 minutes DetectorICS-5000 DC Electro chemical detector

The results are averaged and shown in the tables below:

DIONEX averaged results (varying residence time in hemihydrolysisreactor; varying slurry loading) Residence Slurry C5 monomer timeloading (xylose) C5 dimer C5 trimer C5 tetramer C5 pentamer C5 hexamerminutes % g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt % 2 11.390.28835 6.9 1.7517 42.0 1.4432 34.6 0.0981 2.4 0.1817 4.4 0.4095 9.8 310.95 0.91497 19.8 1.6926 36.7 1.248 27.0 0.35397 7.7 0.2271 4.9 0.180233.9

DIONEX averaged results (varying slurry loading) Residence Slurry C5monomer time loading (xylose) C5 dimer C5 trimer C5 tetramer C5 pentamerC5 hexamer minutes % g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt% 2 11.39 0.28835 6.9 1.7517 42.0 1.4432 34.6 0.0981 2.4 0.1817 4.40.4095 9.8 2 12.24 0.3272 6.5 2.1768 43.0 0.7087 14.0 1.3541 26.8 0.2234.4 0.2685 5.3

DIONEX averaged results (varying hemihydrolysis reactor total time)Residence Slurry time loading C5 monomer C5 dimer C5 trimer C5 tetramerC5 pentamer C5 hexamer hours % g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt % g/Lwt % g/L wt % 1 10.95 1.7316 19.99 0.4674 5.4 3.1371 36.1 0.5831 6.70.0618 0.7 0.0139 0.2 2 10.95 0.489 13.5 2.2848 62.9 0.3536 9.7 0.20335.6 0.0679 1.9 0.2323 6.4 3 10.95 0.5243 12.4 2.3256 55.0 0.2533 6.00.2755 6.5 0.5516 13.1 0.2945 7.0

DIONEX averaged results (with and without quench post cellulosehydrolysis) Total C6 monomer Rx T Flow (glucose) C6 dimer C6 trimer C6tetramer C6 pentamer C6 hexamer ° C. Rate g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt % g/Lwt % g/L wt % g/L wt % With 374.2 1049.9 2.9 24.2 1.8 14.9 1.7 14.3 1.713.8 2.2 18.4 1.7 14.3 quench Without 367.7 774.8 1.95 18.6 1.77 16.91.51 14.5 1.45 13.9 1.94 18.6 1.82 17.4 quench

DIONEX averaged results (with and without quench post cellulosehydrolysis; quench at 200° C.) Total C6 monomer Rx T Flow (glucose) C6dimer C6 trimer C6 tetramer C6 pentamer C6 hexamer ° C. Rate g/L wt %g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt % With 383.4 766.6 0.9 25.50.6 15.5 0.6 16.9 0.5 13.7 0.5 14.9 0.5 13.5 quench Without 379.0 796.31.59 15.5 0.23 2.2 2.24 21.8 1.95 19.0 2.13 20.7 2.13 20.8 quench

DIONEX averaged results (residence time in reactor) Total C6 monomer RxT Flow (glucose) C6 dimer C6 trimer C6 tetramer C6 pentamer C6 hexamer °C. Rate g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt % g/L wt % 0.19 373.0775.6 0.66 13.1 0.66 13.1 0.84 16.6 0.85 16.8 0.94 18.5 1.1059 21.9seconds 1.22 374.2 1049.9 2.94 24.2 1.81 14.9 1.73 14.3 1.67 13.8 2.2418.4 1.74 14.3 seconds

When ranges are used herein for physical properties, such as molecularweight, or chemical properties, such as chemical formulae, allcombinations, and subcombinations of ranges specific embodiments thereinare intended to be included.

The disclosures of each patent, patent application, and publicationcited or described in this document are hereby incorporated herein byreference, in their entirety.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes andmodifications can be made to the preferred embodiments of the inventionand that such changes and modifications can be made without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, intended that theappended claims cover all such equivalent variations as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A composition, comprising: at least one water-soluble C6oligosaccharide hydrolysate; optionally, at least one water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate; and less than about 5250 ppm in total byweight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharidehydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in saidcomposition, of elements; wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be,Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si,Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.
 2. A composition of claim 1, wherein saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate comprises a C6oligosaccharide having a degree of polymerization of about 2 to about15.
 3. A composition of claim 1, wherein said water-soluble C6oligosaccharide hydrolysate comprises a C6 oligosaccharide having adegree of polymerization of about 2 to about
 13. 4. A composition ofclaim 1, wherein said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysatecomprises a C6 oligosaccharide having a degree of polymerization ofabout 2 to about
 10. 5. A composition of claim 1, wherein saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate comprises a C6oligosaccharide having a degree of polymerization of about 2 to about 6.6. A composition of claim 1, further comprising: at least onewater-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate.
 7. A composition of claim6, wherein said water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate is glucose,galactose, mannose, fructose, or a mixture thereof.
 8. A composition ofclaim 1, wherein the ratio of the total weight of said water-soluble C6oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharidehydrolysate to said elements is greater than about 45:1.
 9. Acomposition of claim 1, further comprising: less than about 10 ppm byweight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharidehydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in saidcomposition, of aluminum.
 10. A composition of claim 1, furthercomprising: less than about 3000 ppm by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of calcium.
 11. Acomposition of claim 1, further comprising: less than about 350 ppm byweight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharidehydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in saidcomposition, of iron.
 12. A composition of claim 1, further comprising:less than about 1000 ppm by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of sulfur.
 13. Acomposition of claim 1, wherein said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharidehydrolysate is processed from lignocellulosic biomass usingsupercritical, subcritical, or near critical fluid extraction, or acombination thereof.
 14. A composition of claim 1, wherein levels ofsaid elements are measured by inductively coupled plasma emissionspectroscopy.
 15. A composition of claim 1, further comprising: lessthan about 1500 mg of nitrogen per kg of total weight of water-solubleC6 saccharides.
 16. A composition of claim 1, wherein the weight ratioof collective mass of hydrogen and nitrogen to mass of carbon present insaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate is less than about 0.14.
 17. Acomposition, comprising: at least one water-soluble C6 oligosaccharidehydrolysate; optionally, at least one water-soluble C6 monosaccharidehydrolysate; and less than about 10 ppm by weight, based on total weightof said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and saidwater-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, ofaluminum; less than about 3000 ppm by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of calcium; less thanabout 350 ppm by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of iron; and less than about 1000 ppmby weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of sulfur.
 18. A composition of claim17, further comprising: less than about 5250 ppm in total by weight,based on total weight of said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharidehydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in saidcomposition, of elements; wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be,Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si,Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.
 19. A composition, comprising: at least onewater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate; optionally, at least onewater-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate; and less than about 10 ppmby weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of aluminum.
 20. A composition of claim19, further comprising: less than about 5250 ppm in total by weight,based on total weight of said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharidehydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in saidcomposition, of elements; wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be,Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si,Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.
 21. A composition, comprising: at least onewater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate; optionally, at least onewater-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate; less than about 3000 ppm byweight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharidehydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in saidcomposition, of calcium; and less than about 5250 ppm in total byweight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharidehydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in saidcomposition, of elements; wherein said elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be,Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si,Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.
 22. (canceled)
 23. A composition, comprising:at least one water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate; optionally,at least one water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate; less thanabout 350 ppm by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of iron; and less than about 5250 ppmin total by weight, based on total weight of said water-soluble C6oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharidehydrolysate in said composition, of elements; wherein said elements areAl, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P,Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.
 24. (canceled)
 25. Acomposition, comprising: at least one water-soluble C6 oligosaccharidehydrolysate; optionally, at least one water-soluble C6 monosaccharidehydrolysate; and less than about 1000 ppm by weight, based on totalweight of said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and saidwater-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, ofsulfur.
 26. A composition of claim 25, further comprising: less thanabout 5250 ppm in total by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of elements; whereinsaid elements are Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg,Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn.
 27. Acomposition of claim 1, 17, 19, 21, 23, or 25, wherein saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate comprises: about 10% byweight to about 25% by weight, based on total weight of saidwater-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-soluble C6monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C6 disaccharides;about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C6 trisaccharides;about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C6tetrasaccharides; about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight, based ontotal weight of said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate andsaid water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, ofC6 pentasaccharides; and about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight,based on total weight of said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharidehydrolysate and said water-soluble C6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in saidcomposition, of C6 saccharides having at a degree of polymerization ofat least about
 6. 28. A composition of claim 27, further comprising:about 7.5% by weight to about 20% by weight, based on total weight ofsaid water-soluble C6 oligosaccharide hydrolysate and said water-solubleC6 monosaccharide hydrolysate in said composition, of C6monosaccharides.
 29. A composition, comprising: about 10% by weight toabout 25% by weight, based on total weight of C6 saccharides present insaid composition, of C6 disaccharides; about 10% by weight to about 25%by weight, based on total weight of C6 saccharides present in saidcomposition, of C6 trisaccharides; about 10% by weight to about 25% byweight, based on total weight of C6 saccharides present in saidcomposition, of C6 tetrasaccharides; about 10% by weight to about 25% byweight, based on total weight of C6 saccharides present in saidcomposition, of C6 pentasaccharides; and about 10% by weight to about50% by weight, based on total weight of C6 saccharides present in saidcomposition, of C6 saccharides having at a degree of polymerization ofat least about
 6. 30. A composition of claim 29, wherein said C6disaccharides are present at a level of about 10% by weight to about 20%by weight, based on total weight of C6 saccharides present in saidcomposition.
 31. A composition of claim 29, wherein said C6trisaccharides are present at a level of about 10% by weight to about20% by weight, based on total weight of C6 saccharides present in saidcomposition.
 32. A composition of claim 29, wherein said C6tetrasaccharides are present at a level of about 10% by weight to about20% by weight, based on total weight of C6 saccharides present in saidcomposition.
 33. A composition of claim 29, wherein said C6pentasaccharides are present at a level of about 10% by weight to about20% by weight, based on total weight of C6 saccharides present in saidcomposition.
 34. A composition of claim 29, wherein said C6 saccharideshaving at a degree of polymerization of at least about 6 are present ata level of about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight, based on totalweight of C6 saccharides present in said composition.
 35. A compositionof claim 29, further comprising: about 5% by weight to about 20% byweight, based on total weight of C6 saccharides present in saidcomposition, of C6 monosaccharides.
 36. A composition of claim 29,further comprising water.
 37. A composition, comprising: about 80% byweight to about 95% by weight, based on total weight of C6 saccharidespresent in said composition, of water-soluble C6 oligosaccharides;wherein said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharides have a decree ofpolymerization of about 2 to about
 6. 38. A composition of claim 37,wherein said water-soluble C6 oligosaccharides are present at a level ofabout 80% by weight to about 92.5% by weight, based on total weight ofC6 saccharides present in said composition.
 39. (canceled)
 40. Acomposition of claim 37, further comprising: about 5% by weight to about20% by weight, based on total weight of C6 saccharides present in saidcomposition, of C6 monosaccharides.
 41. A composition of claim 37,further comprising water.